Stricter Abortion Law: We can't ignore the ripples

Texas has passed the most restrictive abortion law of any state yet.  The new regulations will go into effect the end of this month.  Before I get into this, let me make clear that I am most definitely pro-life.  I am against abortion.  I believe God is the giver of all life and should be the one who decides when life should end.  Maybe I will blog another time about why I believe that.  Really, it goes beyond my faith! I decided at 11 years old I was pro-life before I really knew anything about my faith!

When the battle over the legislation was in full force I did my share of Facebook shares of the information.  I asked my state representatives and senator to support the bill.  And I can say with some certainty that the results of the now law that I will discuss here most likely saved a baby in my own family.  I believe in it.  I am thankful for it.

However, I fear most who marched on the steps of the Texas Capital or posted their support from their computer on Facebook celebrated once the bill passed into law, but now what? You see the bill being passed was the pebble...or quite possibly the boulder...that was thrown into the lake.  But the ripples are just now starting!  There are consequences of legislation.  There will no doubt be babies saved because this stricter legislation has shut down abortion clinics.  Praise God! Women's lives will also be saved as stricter regulations will provide for cleaner and more professional settings for those who do choose to abort a baby. You can read about some of the ripples already starting in DallasNews and the Star-Telegram.  The effects are real.

But there is more.  I sat talking to one of our adoptive families right after the legislation passed.  This is a family who is not looking for a baby. They are one of my heroes who are committed to providing a home for one or two of the older kids who wait in our foster system.  But in our conversation, the husband made a comment that left a knot in my stomach.  He said something like, "The agency is going to explode now with all the babies that aren't aborted!"  I can honestly say I had not thought of that.  But since that day, it has not left me.

Here's the facts.  The legislation will no doubt prevent some abortions.  Babies will be saved.  But what then?  What happens to that baby?  Most women who are considering abortion are in that place because they feel unprepared to parent a child for a multitude of reasons.  So what do we do now with a mom who doesn't want to be a mom?  Let me stop here and say that I know there will be many, probably most, women who by the end of their pregnancy will have come to a place where they are grateful they did not abort and will have made whatever changes or sacrifices needed to be made to go on to be amazing mothers for their new baby.  I don't believe nor intend to allude here that all babies not aborted will not be parented by the women who birth them.  But what about those who aren't?

If those of us on the pro-life side are sitting back thinking the work is done, well, we are clueless.  If we think for one minute that the pro-choice activists are not watching every statistic in our state - child abuse numbers, Women, Infant and Children's Nutrition numbers, Child Protective Services numbers, infant mortality numbers - then we are more than naive.  All of this will be monitored.  If we don't provide an intervention for those babies that this law saves, then we have failed.  I fear that most see the law as the victory, and they are done.  But really, the work has only begun!

This is how it looks in my world.  Eight of the nine children who I am raising should have been aborted by most pro-choice standards.  Only one of my children was a planned pregnancy, and the other eight were God-given blessings with un-planned pregnancies.  Six of those eight children met most if not all of the bullet points for why women should abort.  They were in poverty, some were into drugs and other detrimental habits.  One of my children was conceived after two pregnancies had been terminated by abortion.  Only by God's grace does this child breath life! I remember being in high school and being in the abortion debate in my government class.  My teacher was pro-choice.  There were several of us in the class who were pro-life, and we were all very outspoken about it.  I will never forget during one of the debates, Ms. Fowler said, "I wish all those who want to keep these babies alive would put their money where their mouth is and raise them instead of letting the government do it."  I was highly offended that day, but even deep down in the gut of a immature high school girl, I knew she had a point.  I have no idea where Ms. Fowler is today, but I would love to tell her that I have to agree with her now! Not much I can say that about, but on that fact, I agree! And I would love to look her in the eyes and say, I put my money, my time, my life where my mouth is! Thank you for the challenge!

I am sure many would say, "there are so many families waiting for a baby, that will not be a problem!"  Maybe so, but what about those babies who are born with the birth defects? What about the babies who are born addicted to drugs?  What about the babies who have been exposed to alcohol and you have no way of knowing just what that fact will mean for you or your child until they are older?  Very few of those waiting families are willing to take those babies.  And what about the babies that don't look like those families?  You know, the darker ones that are already difficult for agencies to place with families.  I don't mean to offend anyone here, but it does us no good to ignore reality!

Let me take it a step further.  What about the 13,000 children who are currently in the foster system in Texas whose parents did choose life?  Obviously those parents were not ready to be parents for some reason or their children would not be in the custody of the state.  Some of those parents will get another chance, and their children will be returned.  What about the ones that will not be returned?  What about the over 6,000 children who right now sit in the foster system with parents' rights terminated ready to be adopted.....but no families to adopt them?  Their parents chose life when legislation didn't dictate it.  What are we doing about it?

"We" is such a vague word, isn't it.  It's kind of like "they".  So who is "we"?  Well, in this case, I would say "we" starts with anyone who wrote a letter, posted on their Facebook page, marched on the lawn, or otherwise supported the legislation to provide stricter abortion laws in any way.  You are "we"!  Thank you for your part in getting the legislation passed! I sincerely mean that! I am thankful!  But you can't stop there!  You have to now provide an answer for those parents who choose life because abortions are no longer readily available!  We have to provide a solution to the ripples coming from the pebble that was tossed!

But honestly, the "we" is much bigger than that group of people.  And really, this is the "we" I want to reach out to here! The bigger "we" is the Church! Are we not called to provide answers to a lost world?  Is the Church not called to care for the least of these?  First John 3:17-18 says it best, "But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth." My question is when is the Church going to quit talking about it and start doing it? There are over 6,000 children in Texas waiting on you!  You realize that it would take less than one family per church in the state to adopt in order to completely empty the state of Texas of waiting children?  That is insane!  What are we waiting for? If you are not convinced, read James 1:27, "Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world."  

If this legislation becomes the basis to fight all other legislation in every other state because we, the Church, does not stand up with answers to these girls who are in crisis pregnancies, then we have failed.  Will you help?  Will you take this message to your church leaders?  Will you take the initiative to look up an adoption agency in your area?  Friends in Midland or Odessa and surrounding areas in West Texas, we would gladly send an Addy's Hope representative to speak to your pastor or even your congregation about adoption as an educational meeting.  We can give you resources to hand to women in crisis pregnancy.  Adoption should be the last option for these girls.  We can help give you resources to put in their hands to give them every opportunity to parent.  If they are still unable to parent, we would love to provide them with the option of adoption by a Christian family!  If you are in the Dallas or Fort Worth area, I can come speak to your pastor and/or congregation.  Help spread the word that the battle over abortion is not over in Texas, but I believe it has just started!  Let's give our fellow pro-life warriors in other states numbers to support pro-life legislation in their state!  And in the mean time, we will be saving a generation from the hands of the enemy.  And in my books, that is a win/win deal!

If you need resources for a woman in crisis pregnancy or would like more information on how to be the answer to the children already here and needing a family, I would be happy to help.  You can reach me by e-mail at hollyann@addyshope.com or by phone at 432.897.1503.  Our website is under construction, but will be a great resource very soon! If you are a pastor reading this, please take a Sunday night, Wednesday night or at least the corner of your bulletin or a flash on your screen for announcements to educate your congregation on the answers to crisis pregnancies and the need for adoptive families for children in foster care! 

We, the Church, have The Answer! It's time we start sharing it in more ways than just inside our church walls! Let's be the answer! 

My prayer....

No one told me that in adoption work adoptive parents would be supportive until things went wrong, and those parents that sang your praises when things went right would be the first to slit your throat when things beyond your control went wrong. No one told me in ministry that the Christians would be the hardest to deal with. My only escape and comfort right now are in the words of David who had enemies pursuing him at times as well! So these are my prayers to God, just as David sent them up so many years ago!

Psalm 5
Prayer for Protection from the Wicked.

1Give ear to my words, O LORD,
Consider my groaning.
2Heed the sound of my cry for help, my King and my God,
For to You I pray.
3In the morning, O LORD, You will hear my voice;
In the morning I will order my prayer to You and eagerly watch.
4For You are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness;
No evil dwells with You.
5The boastful shall not stand before Your eyes;
You hate all who do iniquity.
6You destroy those who speak falsehood;
The LORD abhors the man of bloodshed and deceit.
7But as for me, by Your abundant loving kindness I will enter Your house,
At Your holy temple I will bow in reverence for You.
8O LORD, lead me in Your righteousness because of my foes;
Make Your way straight before me.
9There is nothing reliable in what they say;
Their inward part is destruction itself
Their throat is an open grave;
They flatter with their tongue.
10Hold them guilty, O God;
By their own devices let them fall!
In the multitude of their transgressions thrust them out,
For they are rebellious against You.
11But let all who take refuge in You be glad,
Let them ever sing for joy;
And may You shelter them,
That those who love Your name may exult in You.
12For it is You who blesses the righteous man, O LORD,
You surround him with favor as with a shield.
Psalm 6
Prayer for Mercy in Time of Trouble.

1O LORD, do not rebuke me in Your anger,
Nor chasten me in Your wrath.
2Be gracious to me, O LORD, for I am pining away;
Heal me, O LORD, for my bones are dismayed.
3And my soul is greatly dismayed;
But You, O LORD--how long?
4Return, O LORD, rescue my soul;
Save me because of Your loving kindness.
5For there is no mention of You in death;
In Sheol who will give You thanks?
6I am weary with my sighing;
Every night I make my bed swim,
I dissolve my couch with my tears.
7My eye has wasted away with grief;
It has become old because of all my adversaries.
8Depart from me, all you who do iniquity,
For the LORD has heard the voice of my weeping.
9The LORD has heard my supplication,
The LORD receives my prayer.
10All my enemies will be ashamed and greatly dismayed;
They shall turn back, they will suddenly be ashamed.

Can I ask you to pray for my, my Liberian staff, my husband and our board as we seek God's way to deal with these issues? Pray for us that we would have the heart and mind of Christ as we deal with the false accusations that can have devastating effects on the children who remain in the home and need us to care for them. Pray that God would silence the mouths of the lying and wicked as it says in the Psalms. Pray that He would raise up warriors to fight for these children even against the falseness that is being spread here in the US.

If you don't think adoptions are of the heart of God, talk to someone who works in adoptions...listen to the stories of the attacks...even internal ones...they rarely come from the "world" in my experience. The enemy is determined to destroy adoptions. If we don't have warriors raising up to fight this battle on our knees, we will lose. Please pray with us!

Battles and Perspectives

Today is a rough day! This is Toben and Ava's last day at their current Mother's Day out program. They have many friends there and Toben has amazing teachers! Ms. Becca even cried when we told her we were leaving..touched my heart more than she can ever know! As an inter-racial family we get many responses and to have another person love my African son in that manner just makes my heart sing...and then break since I am moving him.

I have agonized and agonized over this decision. About the time I would think I am over reacting and I need to just let it drop, God puts a lesson in my inbox or in another lesson I am listening to about fighting. The post from the Proverbs 31 devotion is one example. Another is a Beth Moore Podcast that I listened to on a recent trip. She stressed over and over that at this time in Western Christianity, we need fighters! Her words were, "We are in desperate need of warriors, not whiners!" Then she repeated over and over, "We have to STEP UP! STEP UP!" A wrong was done at their Mother's Day out program. Two specific children with special needs were discriminated against, one was my daughter. The only choice given to me was to move my child (which I was informed would result in a speedy replacement for their program) or leave my job every time Ava needed her diaper changed. Could I do that? Yes, I could, but should I? I don't think so. Should I remove just Ava and let Toben stay? Why would I leave him in a program that seems to have no concern for children with needs or really in the development of a child. I was very sarcastically asked when the issue was being discussed with the director if I had found any program in Midland that would take a three year old who was not potty trained. In fact, I did! Four out of the five I spoke to did not require her to be potty trained (even without a medical condition) and one of them that did said they would make an allowance for her since she has a medical condition keeping her from being on target currently. And the more research I did, the more I found that no child development professional says that children who are not potty trained by 3 are behind! Most state that children will usually be trained between the ages of 2 and 4.

So am I doing the right thing? I wish I could say without a doubt that I am. I can't. But I do know that God needs more people to step up for what is right! So many of the things that I have had to step in and fight for would not have even occurred if the people before me had fought or even just informed others instead of laying down and taking the easy, less conflict path. Just a few of these are the halt on adoptions in Liberia and the agency we used to adopt Eden and Addy that resulted in a denied visa. Because of these experiences, God has placed with in me a willingness to fight a battle even when I may not see the positive outcome of the results, but those who come after me will. That is why I am doing what I am doing at the school.

The other thing I consider on this tough day is perspective. I was reminded that even my adoptive parents don't understand why I want to fight the Liberian government for the rights of the Liberian children and the oppressed people of Liberia. It's not that they don't know the problems. It is that they see a different perspective than I can see. Because of confidentiality among other things, they cannot know all that I know about the officials that I have been called by God to expose. They see their adoptions. The same is true with me and God.

In this little situation with my children and their school, I just see how it effects my kids. The easier road would be to leave them there. But what I don't see is the bigger picture that God sees. There may be a real reason He needs me to remove my children as a statement that intolerance of children with minor needs should not be tolerated, or a director not communicating expectations to parents is not a good way to run a program. I don't know. But I know that God has impressed on me that laying down and letting this incident go without notice is not ok.

So with a heavy heart that the actions of adults have caused my children heartache, I will pick them up today and take them to their new school on Tuesday.

Oh, AND this afternoon we meet with one of Callie's teachers who continues to refuse to follow policies set by the school or provide Callie with all the materials she needs to complete requirements.

Add on top of that my conviction (only mine...I don't judge those without the conviction and wish those without it wouldn't judge me...) to not participate in Halloween in any way on a day when the little kids are having costume parades, and I am beat up before my day even begins today. Well, that is not accurate! I have just had to use my armor a lot already this morning and have a few arrows stuck in my shield of faith and belt of truth where I fended off the attacks from the enemy saying that I should compromise just this once..its not a big deal to put them in some dress-up clothes...well, that would be true except God says NO! Weary of fighting? Me too!

But if I don't fight for my children, who will? As I put on my face book status when all this was coming to a head...this reminds me of the 143 million children who don't have parents fighting for them! And my heart breaks again!

Stop Child Trafficking Now!

Many of you know that I was accused of Child trafficking when we brought Toben and several other children home. I was outraged! When you read the date below, you will understand why! Child trafficking is a sick and disgusting business that must be stopped!

This is a very personal issue to me. I worry often of what will happen to Eden since she didn't get to come home! I also work in adoptions with integrity and high standard of ethics so to not even give the allusion of anything close to trafficking. So what I am posting here is dear to me...and therefore, Addy's Hope is getting involved! Please help us help them!!! We need you..donate....walk...whatever you can do! Right now we only have two people on the Addy's Hope team...Thomas and I are going to be really lonely if more don't walk with us...and we need donations to support us! Go here to donate to our walk or sign up to be a team member if you are in the Midland area! We need you!!!!

Walk or Donate

Bring awareness and an end to the trafficking of humans!


Stop Child Trafficking Now Walk
September 26, 2009
Midland, Texas
(check for a walk in your area by going to the SCTNow website!)
Grande Stadium Ballpark
Check-in time: 9:00AM to 10:00AM
Event: 10:00AM to 12:00PM


Go HERE
Register to Walk with the Addy's Hope Team and help us raise funds for SCTNow!
Donate online to any of our team members to help!
Tell your friends!



If any of you have followed Addy's Hope for anytime, you know our heart for children! God has grown that heart and stretched it over the years. We know have an opportunity to partner with an organization to Stop Child Trafficking Now!

In countries with uneducated officials and public, adoption and trafficking are often confused. The two could not be further apart. Adoption is what God has done for us. He brought us into His family to love, protect and care for us. This is what adoptive families do for children they adopt. However, child trafficking is the recruitment, smuggling, transporting, harboring, buying or selling of a child through force, threats, fraud, deception, or coercion for the purposes of exploitation, prostitution, pornography, migrant work, sweat shops, domestic servitude, forced labor, bondage, peonage or involuntary servitude.

Child trafficking is one f the fastest growing crimes in the world. UNICEF values the global market of child trafficking at over $12 billion a year with over 1.2 million child victims. Men, women and children are all victims but, the most vulnerable groups, those with limited rights or protections, have been the hardest hit....especially children.

Trafficking children into the sex industry is done because there is a demand. Predators seek out vulnerable victims and lure them under false pretenses into situations they cannot escape from. No matter the reason, the children have become sexual commodities to be bought and sold for the pleasure of exploiters. These children are scarred for life and need help - your help!

Stop Child Trafficking Now believes strongly that to eliminate this heinous crime the demand for children must end. That's why SCTNow seeks to destroy the source. SCTNow believes that by putting predators behind bars we can Stop Child Trafficking Now and Addy's Hope is going to help!

"Boldly"

I have been studying Acts for a few weeks now. Our church is actually doing a series on Acts, but I was studying it even before then.

I am LOVING it! It always amazes me how I can read scripture that I know I have read tens if not hundreds of times before, but new things just pop out at me! Got to love that Holy Spirit who makes God's Word so fresh to us over 2000 years later!

Well, the apostles fascinate me! I feel like I can so relate to their work right now in what I am doing in adoption work. God has drawn so many comparisons for me. It has been such an encouragement, and also a charge to keep on keeping on. I don't even pretend to be anywhere near the maturity or calling of the Apostles, but God has used them to speak into my life in my little bitty corner of the world.

A word that occurs over and over when Acts describes the Apostles teaching is "boldly". This word stuck out to me because I usually speak boldly when I speak. I always have. It is a character trait that God gave me that frankly I am not so fond of. It definitely brings much ridicule and persecution...sometimes warranted ridicule if I am out of line or speaking boldly with the wrong heart, but many times I am speaking boldly at the charge of the Holy Spirit and feel as if I am stoned (with words and actions) just as Paul in Acts 14:19 (he was speaking boldly in vs 3 right before that!). I have been told that I am too bold and that I need to handle things with adoptions more softly and tenderly. Well, that goes totally against what God and the Holy Spirit is leading me in right now. There was a time when I spoke softly and walked gently with Liberian officials. We have been working in Liberia for almost 5 years. This is the first time I have gotten this "bold" in my words and actions. It is time! I love Acts 14:3 because it holds the key to this boldness thing...."with reliance upon the Lord." That is the part that was missing in my younger days that I am learning to seek in my maturing state.

Since I felt like this word "boldly" was a bright flashing light of instruction to my soul every time I read it, I decided to look it up. It is used 6 times in Acts, and 9 times in the New Testament (that means 2/3 of the time it is used is in Acts...hmmm). according to Strong's it means to speak freely, freedom of speech, confidence! Yes! I just LOVE that! Oh how that is what I have felt God screaming to my soul! Every time I contact a government official whether here or there, I second guess my boldness- I hear the voices of the critics who think they know exactly how I need to handle this process and ridicule the boldness that I have or that I ask them to take, and I just feel God screaming, "GO my daughter! It is time for boldness! It is time for my glory to be seen by those willing to see it! Speak my words! Please me, not man! If I am for you, who can be against you? Be bold, be daring. You are speaking for the people of Liberia who have no voice. I have made you bold for just a time as this!" That gets my blood to pumpin'!

I looked it up in Webster. I got even more excited! Webster defines "bold" as fearless before danger, showing or requiring a fearless daring spirit, assured, confident, adventurous, free, standing out prominently. That is what we are called to be for God! We are called to stand out for Him. We are called to show a fearless daring spirit in the face of danger or ridicule because man can do NOTHING to us spiritually speaking. Yes they can hurt our feelings, and in China and other places of persecution, they even hurt and torture our bodies, but God still calls us to be fearless or daring in spirit! Even if you are not involved in some "big" issue, you are called to be daring and fearless in spirit. Have you shared your testimony of God's goodness in your life with a stranger lately? In today's society, even that can be bold and daring in the face of danger. Speaking the name of God in front of many of today's society will get you a lecture you never wanted or ridiculed in a way you never imagined! But we are still called to do it- be bold!

I think when you are involved in a "big" issue, it is easy to neglect the times to be "bold" in the day to day. I have shared about my new friend at my office. He comes in everyday now and visits for 15 or 20 minutes at a time. I will share more about him as his life is such a testimony of our societies need for a savior! But I haven't asked him about his relationship with God yet. I want to be sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit, as timing is crucial in talking to someone about Christ, but if the Holy Spirit nudged me to bring Him up, would I? I can tell a government official how the cow at the cabbage, but would I share with a dieing soul the only thing that will bring him comfort and peace here and on the other side of life? I pray I would, and you better believe I will be looking for the opportunity to be daring in spirit to share my Jesus with this hurting soul!

And for today...I am just loving that God's word is so fresh and waiting for Him to reveal His glory in adoptions in Liberia! I know it's coming! I don't know what it will look like and it may not be packaged the way we all think it will be .....odds are, it won't be! But when He comes and shines His glory, I am going to be ready and until that time I will speak BOLDLY to anyone I can in order for ALL possible to see His glory and worship Him because of it!

Ready for my day! Go God! :)

Update

I posted here about two needs in Liberia. The first was Matthew, little boy in desperate need of medical attention. I am happy to report that because of your prayers and generosity, Matthew's medical costs are met for now. He is currently too weak to travel, so please pray that he will be strengthened for the trip in order to have the surgery. Also, pray for wisdom for all of us working and making decisions right now on Matthew's behalf.

The news on the other need is not so good. I have $140 toward the chain saw. That is a great start! However, we received word last week that one of the little boys living in the home with out a roof died. He was 2 and a half years old. His name is Swen. He died from what they called a "cold illness". My heart is broken! No matter how many we help, there will always be some who die! Can you help us cover the other children before more fall to Swen's fate? If you can help us, go to www.addyshope.com for donatioan information.

Thank you for your support and your prayers!

What a quote!

I have been looking for blogs on foster care, so I checked out my friend Amy's from an adoptive mom yahoo group I belong to. They have just been through a trying foster ordeal! But since John and I are praying about it, I wanted to read more about it. I process things so differently than John, and it makes times like this very stressful at our house!

When Amy's blog came up, I looked at her title bar and saw this quote. It has haunted me ever since:

"Sometimes I'd like to ask God why He allows poverty, famine, and injustice in the world when He could do something about it...but I'm afraid God might ask me the same question." -Anonymous

wow! That says it all!

Go check out Building the Blocks, you will be blessed!

Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month

April 2009 is Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month

State Of TexasOffice of the Governor
Children are the embodiment of innocence and hope for the future, and every child deserves to grow up in a nurturing environment, free from harm and fear. Sadly, however, child abuse is a reality, a problem we must relentlessly combat through awareness and action.
Every responsible person will agree that even one abused child is too many. Yet our state's child protection caseloads are evidence of the shameful fact that child abuse is a widespread issue in Texas. All responsible Texans must do what they can to resolve this pervasive issue.
There are ways we can make a difference. Children's advocacy groups and social workers across the state work to create safe, happy and healthy environments for Texas' children, and, through education and awareness, to discourage child abuse. When abuse or neglect does occur, individual citizens have a duty to report it to the appropriate authorities.
Once again, the month of April has been designated for an educational campaign. At this time, I encourage all Texans to join me in renewing our commitment to preventing child abuse and learning what we each can do to promote the safety and well-being of children. Their success is Texas' success.
Therefore, I, Rick Perry, Governor of Texas, do hereby proclaim April 2009,
Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month
in Texas, and urge the appropriate recognition whereof.
In official recognition whereof, I hereby affix my signature this the 18"' day of February, 2009


That's great, Mr. Perry! Now can we change some laws to keep kids in the system from being abused in their foster homes?? Or make a system where this is less likely to occur than if we leave them in their abusive home?

More fuel for my fire!

So we checked the papers and the Deputy Minister of Ministry of Health and Social Welfare had not written any articles about us this time as he did last time, but evidently he did go on the radio saying our organization had taken children out of the country illegally. This was AFTER I sat in his office with our country director and an adoptive father and he said that he has no jurisdiction over our cases as they were done before he came into office and he had no problems with these kids leaving! He is up to his old tricks. And it is not just with our organization. He has made horrible accusations against another group as well causing 41 children to not receive education and care because of his lies.

Are we going to stand by and let our government fund this kind of action from top officials? I don't plan to! I will be posting the information for contacting the Senators later this week...so keep checking back!

Why I do it...

Why do I stay up till 2 am sending e-mails? Why do I get up at 4 am to read a child's rights bill? Why do I get so fired up when I read an article like I did in my last post or the report in my posts before that? Here is why!

The children in the home where our kids stay in Liberia wrote a song for me and surprised me with it when I was there! I will try to figure out how to get the video of them singing it on here, but for now, these are the words!

Mother HollyAnn she gave us freedom

She gave us equal opportunity

She put us in her arms

She shows us love that no one knows

The Mother of Greater Love

May her name continue on

May her love continue on

Her name is HollyAnn

the Mother of Greater Love

I have children counting on me....that is why I do it!

Can't get it off my mind....

So I have not had anything consume me like this in seven years! That would be when I stayed up all night researching adoption because God consumed me with adoption...that lasted for three months, then entered Noah! I have that same feeling right now for the suffering children in Liberia! I want to spend all my time researching the efforts going on in Liberia to see if there is anything we can use to fight this war with the government officials and their indifference to the children.

I still haven't really found anything on anyone "fighting" for the children. There are many organizations putting in a school here or sending money there. But to really find someone fighting, I don't see it! In my mind this is an epidemic much like that in Sudan! I know many would think I am exagerating, but am I? A whole people group that represents the majority of the country is being purposely surpressed and it is widely known by the general public! That is what amazed me! I talked to people that had NO IDEA what I was looking into or thinking and they repeated the same thing time and again! People in power that are from Monrovia do not want the people from the interior to prosper!

Ok, I am getting on my soap box again! So let me just let you read for yourself! This is an excerpt from the UNMIL (United Nations Missions in Liberia) report from May - October 2007 (less than one year ago!). The whole report can be found here. So read for yourself and let me know what you think about the governments work to protect and provide the basic human rights to the children of Liberia!


Human Rights Monitoring
Children’s Rights

6. Contrary to Section 18(7) of the Liberian Penal Law prohibiting the exposure of
children under the age of 16 years to obscene material, HROs found young
children watching pornographic films at DVD-clubs in Lofa County. Through a
letter addressed to the Superintendent of the County on 10 October, the Protection
Core Group in the County brought these concerns to his attention for action.
Right to education

7. The right to education and accessibility to free and compulsory primary education
are recognised under the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC).
Additionally, universal primary education has been identified by UN Member
States, as one of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). In keeping with
these undertakings, the government of Liberia has adopted the policy of free
primary education. However, the right can only become a reality and available to
all when government establishes schools and adequately funds and equips them.
Additionally, campaigns to raise the awareness of parents and communities about
the importance of educating their children need to be carried out.

8. The school in Diahn Town, Grand Gedeh County, was reportedly closed down in
March due to the very poor condition of the school building. According to a local
human rights organisation, efforts to rebuild the school failed because community
members preferred to send their children to work on their farms rather than attend
school. In May, during a visit to the public school in Hundonin, Lofa County,
HROs observed that three of the four teachers were seriously inebriated and
students also complained that they were subjected to manual labour on farms. On
27 August, the Principal of Bahn High School, Nimba County in an interview with
Radio Nimba publicly warned his teaching staff against using students to work on
their farms as a form of punishment and in violation of school guidelines.
9. In other Counties there have been high rates of school enrolment as a result of the
free education policy but there has not been a corresponding increment in the
number of well equipped schools or recruitment of qualified teachers. Visits to
Butaw District Junior High School in Sinoe County, Paynesville Community
School in Montserrado County and the only public school in a Garbaryoun Clan,
Neiporlorkollie Town, Fuamah District, Bong County revealed that classes were
overcrowded and there was no furniture in the classrooms. There were not enough
qualified teachers to serve the student population and in the case of the school in
Bong County, it lacked toilets and recreational facilities and there was also no safe
drinking water or electricity. On 29 and 30 October, students from public schools
in Konia, Zorzor district, Lofa County, demonstrated in protest of the absence of
teachers from classes for 2 weeks. The teachers, who were reportedly on strike
because they had not received their salaries for the past 2 months, are said to be
volunteers who were trained by the International Rescue Committee (IRC).
Violence against children

10. Reports of physical violence directed against children by family members were
recorded in several counties. This frequently took place in the context of
disciplining the child. In October, a 17 year old girl found at West Point police
station, Montserrado County had her hands tied by her father as a disciplinary
measure. In another case, a 10 year old boy found at Elwa Police Depot stated that
he had left home in search of his father because his aunt with whom he lived in
Bushrod Island constantly beat him. Similar cases of young children running away
from their homes as a result of ill treatment at the hands of their parents or
relatives were reported in Margibi and Grand Gedeh Counties. On 25 July, the
Maryland County Child Protection Network (CPN) visited the home of a 13 year
old girl who was being abused by her mother. The mother believed that the girl
was a witch in her previous life, accused her of stealing food and money, and
frequently beat her. In mid-July the girl was treated at Cavalla Clinic after her
mother accused her of stealing money and put pepper all over her body.

11. In other cases, such violence involved neglect of families meeting their children’s
physical and emotional needs. In Grand Bassa County, the Gender Officer had to
care for a 14 month old abandoned child whose parents could not agree on
custody arrangements. In May, a man was arrested by the LNP in Montserrado
County while selling his nine-year old son for L$3,000 (USD$502) allegedly to
buy food. The boy was placed into the custody of the Women and Children
Protection Section of the LNP. This was the third such case recorded this year.

12. HRPS is concerned that inadequate social structures and counselling facilities to
support families in distress may contribute to a growing social problem of family
violence. Additionally, most Counties do not have suitable facilities to care for
neglected or abused children. Indeed in several cases, authorities failed to properly
address reports of serious abuse. For instance, an 11-year old boy from Ganta,
Nimba County, was allegedly burnt with acid by his uncle on 24 July. Although,
the LNP County Commander had expressed intention to order the arrest of the
boy’s uncle, the LNP WCPS in Ganta stated that there were no grounds to arrest
the man. [Emphasis is mine! Can you believe this?! Intent to arrest??? No grounds???] In Maryland County, a woman who allegedly pushed her 14 year old
niece into a pot of hot water on 10 September was charged with aggravated assault
and released on bail by the Associate Magistrate on 11 September. The case was
transferred to the Circuit Court.

Human Rights and Orphanages
13. Due to the delay in the closure of the orphanages that failed to meet the Ministry
of Health and Social Welfare (MoHSW) Minimum Standards for Operating Child
Welfare Institutions, some unaccredited orphanages continued operating, putting
the children who live there at risk of neglect or exploitation. Two orphanages in
Nimba County, Francis Memorial and Mother Jacob Prayer Band Christian
Foundation were still operating in June even though both of them were not
accredited by the MoHSW. There is inadequate food for the children and living
conditions are very poor and possibly dangerous to the health and long-term
development of the children. Both establishments are run as a profit-making
venture. UNECO (UNIMIL, ECOMOG Children’s Organisation) Children’s
Home and Orphanage in Gardnersville, Montserrado County which is home to 62
children is also not accredited by the MoHSW. According to the owner, an official
from the MoHSW allegedly solicited L$3,000 (US$50) to accredit it. The amount
was paid but accreditation was never granted.
14. The Minimum Standards developed by the MoSHW to regulate all child care and
protection services in orphanages and other child welfare institutions are based on
the guiding principles of the CRC and provide that ‘all child welfare institutions
must be in safe and secure environment, must maintain clean and sanitary
environment, and must promote high hygiene standards for the growth and
development of the children.’ All orphanages in the country are required to
comply with these standards and non-compliance shall result in the immediate
revocation of accreditation and closure of the institution. HRPS monitors however
reported several instances where the minimum standards were not adhered to.
On 10 October and 17 October, HROs visited J. Roland Payne Center of Hope
orphanage and Rainbow Town orphanage in Bong County respectively. The
two orphanages were established 1994 and have both been accredited by the
MoHSW. Rainbow Town orphanage has 82 children which is beyond the
maximum recommended (50 children) by the Minimum Standards. Roland
Payne Center of Hope orphanage lacks electricity and adequate recreational
facilities. However, generally, it was observed that the environment in both
orphanages was clean and that the children are clean and healthy.
House of Hope orphanage in Ganta, Nimba County is an accredited orphanage
but it does not meet the minimum standards recommended by the MoHSW for
operating child welfare institutions. There are over 78 children in the
orphanage which lacks proper living conditions and health standards. HROs
approached the Bangladesh Battalion for support in provision of medical
services to the Orphanage. My Brother’s Keeper Orphanage in Careysburg,
Montserrado County is also accredited by the MOHSW, however it does not
have a health care facility and the conditions under which the children are kept
are unhygienic. There are 43 children (22 girls and 21 boys) in the orphanage,
some of whom have one surviving parent while others are mentally
challenged.

I would love to know your thoughts after reading that! Anyone ready to fight this battle with me?!